ORDER - Designation of Chief Magistrates
(12/12/2006)
IT IS ORDERED that the judges of the magisterial courts listed below be designated as Chief Judge or Associate Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts in the counties in which they hold office.
The Supreme Court has issued an order dealing with the filing of applications to take the July 2007 Bar Examination if the Charleston School of Law obtains provisional approval from the Council of Legal Education of the American Bar Association.
The Supreme Court has adopted Rule 424, SCACR, which provides that attorneys admitted to practice in foreign countries may be admitted as Foreign Legal Consultants in South Carolina.
The results of the July 2006 Bar Examination have been posted on the Bar Admissions Page.
The results of the July 2006 Bar Examination will be posted on the Bar Admissions Page at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27, 2006.
Case of the Month for October 2006
(10/09/2006)
The Case of the Month for October 2006 has been posted.
By order dated September 29, 2006, new procedures for the processing of indigent defense vouchers were adopted. These procedures become effective thirty days from the date of the order.
South Carolina Lawyer Mentoring Pilot Program
(09/14/2006)
The Supreme Court has adopted a pilot mentoring program for new members of the South Carolina Bar. This pilot program, which will apply to a limited number of lawyers who are admitted after successfully completing the July 2006 Bar Examination, is designed to allow more experienced lawyers to assist new members of the bar in developing professional habits, practices and character.
Magistrate Court Financial Accounting Order
(09/13/2006)
IT IS ORDERED that each magistrate court of this State shall comply with the following financial recordkeeping standards.
The Court has amended Appendices C, D, and E to Part IV, SCACR, to make the Appendices consistent with recent amendments to Rules 408, 419, and 504, SCACR.
County Court Security Designated Committee Co-Chairs
(08/30/2006)
The issue of court security is taken seriously in South Carolina. During the fall of 2005, all 46 counties were surveyed concerning their local courthouse security. Because different counties have different needs, each county will have a County Court Security Committee to plan and adopt security measures tailored to its needs.
Appointment of Qualified Court Interpreters for Non-English Speaking Persons and Payment for Their Services
(08/28/2006)
IT IS ORDERED that the Order of the Court dated May 20, 2004 providing procedures for appointment of qualified interpreters for non-English speaking persons and payment for their services is amended effective immediately.
For the Good of the Order
(08/25/2006)
Chief Justice Jean H. Toal addressed members of the South Carolina Judiciary at the 2006 Judicial Conference.
By order dated August 24, 2006, the Supreme Court has temporarily delayed judicial enforcement of Act 385 of 2006 insofar as the Act requires a physician to obtain a license to practice medicine in South Carolina before offering expert medical testimony in a South Carolina administrative or court proceeding.
Supreme Court Promulgates Emergency Amendments to the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules
(08/15/2006)
In light of Act No. 386 of 2006, the Supreme Court has amended the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules to provide for the review of administrative decisions.
Supreme Court Amends Rule 607, SCACR
(08/14/2006)
Rule 607, SCACR, relating to court report transcripts and tapes has been amended regarding the fees that court reporters may charge. These changes are effective September 1, 2006.
Administrative Order
(07/26/2006)
IT IS ORDERED that the following procedures shall be followed in the management and disposition of all complex common pleas cases now pending or hereafter filed in each circuit.
Amendments to Rule 404, SCACR
(07/20/2006)
On July 20, 2006, the Court amended Rule 404, SCACR, to specify that an attorney who files more than six pro hac vice applications for admission in a calendar year shall be considered regularly engaged in the practice of law in South Carolina. The order takes effect immediately.
Judge John C. Few and Judge D. Garrison Hill Selected for Liberty Fellowship’s Class of 2008
(07/13/2006)
Judge John C. Few and Judge D. Garrison Hill, both circuit court judges from Greenville, have been selected for Liberty Fellowship’s class of 2008.
The Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization has proposed amending the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules concerning audio-visual or media Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Fee Memorandum - Magistrates and Municipal Judges
(06/22/2006)
Statutory provisions for the distribution of revenue generated by the circuit courts, family courts, magistrates courts and municipal courts; fees and related charges of the registers of deeds
Fee Memorandum - County Treasurers
(06/22/2006)
Statutory provisions for the distribution of revenue generated by the circuit courts, family courts, magistrates courts and municipal courts; fees and related charges of the registers of deeds
Statutory provisions for the distribution of revenue generated by the circuit courts, family courts, magistrates courts and municipal courts; fees and related charges of the registers of deeds
Rules of Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters
(06/21/2006)
The Supreme Court has promulgated rules governing the professional conduct of court interpreters.
On Monday, June 12, 2006, Chief Justice Jean H. Toal addressed the Beaufort County Council and announced that the county is live on South Carolina's Court Case Management System.
ORDER - Designation of Chief Magistrates
(06/13/2006)
IT IS ORDERED that the judges of the magisterial courts listed below be designated as Chief Judge or Associate Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts in the counties in which they hold office.
Georgetown County Video Conferencing
(06/12/2006)
On June 6, 2006, a demonstration of the new video conferencing equipment was presented to a number of public officials, County Council members and county staff.
ORDER - Layman v. SC Retirement System
(06/01/2006)
This order denies the petition for rehearing filed by respondents to the extent it asks the Court to reconsider its opinion in Layman v. State of South Carolina, but grants respondents’ request to decertify the classes, their request to set forth a procedure for refunds, their request to clarify the Court’s opinion with regard to remand of the issues relating to working retirees and their request to prescribe procedures for addressing petitioners’ request for attorneys fees and costs. The order denies petitioners’ motion for approval of notice to class and their motion for attorney’s fees (common fund doctrine), but remands petitioners’ request for attorney’s fees pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-77-300 to Judge Breeden for resolution.
The Court has amended Rule 501, Canon 4(F), SCACR, to allow a retired judge to act as an arbitrator and/or mediator and remain available for assignment as a judge by the Chief Justice.
The Court amended Rule 4(f)(4), Rule 5(b), and Rule 19(c) of both the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement, Rule 413, SCACR, and Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement, Rule 502, SCACR. In particular, the amendment to Rule 19(c) provides that, when a lawyer or judge is placed on interim suspension, the matter shall be deemed in full investigation.
Judicial Election
(05/24/2006)
The General Assembly elected J. Michelle Childs to fill the Circuit Court At-Large Seat 9, formerly held by the Hon. Reginald I. Lloyd, now the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina.
Family Court Benchmark
(05/16/2006)
IT IS ORDERED that all domestic relations and juvenile cases in the State of South Carolina, with the exception of DSS Abuse and Neglect cases, shall be disposed of within 365 days of their filing.
By Order of this Court dated August 6, 2003, videoconferencing was authorized statewide for use in magistrate and municipal court for specified criminal proceedings.
The Court-Annexed ADR Rules and an amendment to Rule 601 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules are now effective.
Rule 68 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure has been amended.
Amendments to Rules 408, 419 and 504, SCACR
(05/05/2006)
The Supreme Court has adopted changes to Rule 408 and 504 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules.
Rule 34, RLDE, is Amended
(05/05/2006)
The Supreme Court has amended Rule 34 of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
Decision Issued in the TERI Retirement Case
(05/04/2006)
The Supreme Court has issued a decision in the case of Layman v. The State of South Carolina
On Sunday, April 30, 2006, Lexington County's Judicial Center was rededicated and named in honor and memory of Judge Marc H. Westbrook.
Results of the February 2006 Bar Examination
(04/26/2006)
The results of the February 2006 Bar Examination will be posted on the Bar Admissions page at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2006.
The Supreme Court has issued an order administratively suspending lawyers under Rule 419, SCACR.
Pursuant to Act No. 166 of 2005, magistrates and municipal judges are required to receive criminal domestic violence training.
The attached order rescinds the 1992 Administrative Strike Order for Family Court Cases. This order takes effect March 1, 2006.
Order - General Sessions Sentencing Sheet
(03/03/2006)
Pursuant to Rule 36, SCRCrimP, the attached revised General Sessions Sentencing Sheet, Form SCCA/217, bearing a revision date of 2/2006, is hereby approved effective immediately, as the sentencing sheet to be used in criminal cases disposed of in General Sessions Courts.
Chief Justice Jean H. Toal delivered her State of the Judiciary address to the General Assembly today, March 1, 2006, at 12:00 p.m.
Chief Justice Jean H. Toal will deliver her State of the Judiciary address to the General Assembly on March 1, 2006 at 12:00 p.m.
Amendment to Rule 410(e), SCACR
(02/21/2006)
This Order amends Rule 410(e), SCACR, to require all members of the Bar, other than retired members, provide the Bar with a current email address. Additionally, the Rule now requires that members update change of address information within ten days of any such change.
Judicial Elections
(02/15/2006)
Judicial elections were held February 15, 2006.
The technology efforts of the South Carolina Judicial Department are achieving another great success with the implementation of Videoconferencing in Oconee County courtrooms.
ORDER - Expungement of Criminal Records
(01/13/2006)
The attached order supersedes Chief Justice Toal's expungement order dated July 14, 2003 concerning the process for expungement of criminal and juvenile records. This order is effective January 16, 2006.
Order Regarding Interest Rates on Judgments
(01/11/2006)
The Supreme Court has issued an order regarding the interest rate on money decrees and judgments entered between January 15, 2006 and January 14, 2007.